Supporting our students and families

The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) at Illawarra Christian School aims to bring high levels of evidence-based support to students. We strive to work together in a responsive and dynamic way to respond to the needs of our school community.

This can include offering group programs to students, upskilling teachers, and completing assessments for clarity around student needs.

We also work closely with the school learning support team and teaching staff to create a holistic support service for students.

Rebecca completed her BA with a double major in Psychology and Education at Sydney University. After doing some general administration work in the corporate sector, she pursued postgraduate studies at Western Sydney University, first completing a post-graduate Diploma in Psychology and then a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology. She has over 17 years' experience working as a psychologist, first in the disabilities sector, then in paediatric private practice, and finally within the education sector. 

Rebecca has a passion for working alongside families and educators to help children learn and achieve to their potential. She has a particular interest in the psychological components of teaching and learning and can offer diagnostic and intervention services to assist students with cognitive, learning or attentional difficulties. Rebecca also enjoys the counselling component of psychology, and considers it a privilege to be able to work collaboratively with her students to support their mental health. When she isn’t at work, Rebecca manages her own wellbeing by keeping active at the gym, frequenting the beach in summer, and attending as many live music gigs, record fairs, and markets as she can.

Following her completion of tertiary studies (at Wollongong University and the University of Western Sydney), Jill spent 12 years working with youth with challenging and complex anti-social behaviours in varied environments; including community, specialist court diversionary program and custodial settings. Further to this Jill has worked in mental health community settings before moving to ICS at the beginning of 2024.

With a compassionate and strengths-based approach, Jill is dedicated to fostering resilience and wellbeing in individuals facing life's challenges. She draws on both psychological and social work practices to tailor a multi-dimensional intervention utilising each individual's biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Jill provides compassionate support, fostering resilience, and empowering clients to embrace their strengths as they navigate life's challenges. Jill enjoys working in a relaxed and informal context with students, often characterised by humour and everyday language to connect with students in a non-threatening way and break down barriers, thereby facilitating authentic rapport and relationship.

Jill is excited to be working with dedicated staff and families at ICS in order to provide students with an inclusive and loving education.

Following completion of her tertiary studies (at Wollongong University), Nada spent 10 years working as an accountant. It was during this time that she became a Christian and completed a Graduate Diploma of Divinity at Sydney Missionary & Bible College. With a newfound desire to serve Jesus, she retrained as a school chaplain and secondary teacher. She worked in both primary and secondary schools in the wellbeing space before completing a Graduate Diploma of Counselling. She has been teaching part-time at Calderwood Christian School for the last six years, whilst working part-time as a counsellor in private practice, working with individuals of all ages.

Nada is a curious, life-long learner and takes this approach as she works with individuals. She loves exploring how God has wonderfully made them and how they can tap into the gifts that they have been given to live out their God-given potential. She believes that traversing difficulties can lead to a deeper walk with Christ, through leaning into his wisdom, strength and compassion. She takes an integrated approach in working with individuals - helping them see their strengths and empowering them to develop strategies to overcome challenges with grace.

Nada believes that wellbeing is essential to be able to serve Christ from a full cup, rather than an empty one. She enjoys long walks, time with family and chatting with Jesus about everything.